EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

1
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED

2
INDIVIDUAL PREPAREDNESS

• Assemble a supply kit CONSIDER MARKING SUPPLIES
  WITH LARGE PRINT, FLOURESCENT TAPE, OR BRAILLE
• Have emergency numbers and important documents
  together. Be sure your emergency numbers are in
  a format that you can access in an emergency
• Create a network of friends, neighbors and family
  to contact during an emergency
• Have your portable assistive devices (e.g.
  magnifiers, assistive listening devices,
  communication devices) together to take with you.
  Be very clear that these items are assistive
  devices and not just baggage.

3
INDIVIDUAL PREPAREDNESS CONT.

• If you use a laptop computer or notetaker to
  facilitate communication, you may want to clarify
  this in writing. This information can be shown
  to a shelter manager to prevent any problems with
  space restrictions. For example I need my
  (name of device). It will enable me to write
  down information to be able to refer back to.
  This is equivalent to a pen and paper for me.
  Or I am deaf-blind and I use (name of device) to
  facilitate communication
• Be sure you have a cane to navigate during an
  emergency situation as there may be obstacles and
  barriers not normally there to negotiate.
• If you have a service animal, make sure you have
  food, water, bedding, an extra harness in case
  yours becomes damaged, and appropriate
  identification for your animal.

4
EVACUATION

• BECOME FAMILIAR WITH ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND
  PEDESTRIAN ROUTES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND WORK
  AREA
• KNOW THE LOCATIONS OF EMERGENY EXITS in the
  buildings where you are such as work and home
• CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A BUDDY SYSTEM Identify a
  reliable designated driver for home, school and
  work in case you need a ride in the event of an
  emergency

5
EVACUATION CONT.

• PRACTICE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS
• Have a means of writing and taking down
  information to assist you with communication in
  the event of an emergency. Have paper, pens and
  markers, or slate and stylus in your possession
  in addition to assistive technology and back-up
  power supplies for your technology. Example if
  you are an individual who is deaf/blind, have
  index cards with pre-printed phrases that you
  will need to use when communicating with first
  responders.

6
SHELTER

• Contact your local Emergency Management Office to
  determine the location of local shelters near you
• Identify optional modes of transportation to
  reach the shelter have the number of your local
  fire and police departments in case public
  transportation or your back-ups cannot reach you
• Have your personal emergency bag packed and ready
• Request that you be physically oriented to
  shelter upon your arrival
• Consider requesting a location at the shelter
  that is close to the rest rooms

7
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE

• Help prepare yourself by contacting your local
  Red Cross for information and classes. In an
  emergency, you may need to provide first aid or
  other assistance
• Encourage your community to disseminate
  information through creative alternatives, such
  as radio reading services.
• Demand pre-event emergency planning information
  in accessible formats at the same time printed
  materials become available.
• Know specific vulnerabilities for your community
  such as tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
• Talk to your local emergency management office
  about your individual needs and learn about their
  planning efforts to meet unique needs.